A-pop! is a monthly column discussing the happenings of Asians and Asian Americans in the entertainment biz
By Ninette Cheng
Northwest Asian Weekly
October was a pretty scary month for Asian pop culture — just kidding!
But it was an eventful month. Kate and Jon Gosselin continued their tabloid war while Pusan played host to the Pusan International Film Festival. The impossible happened to Padma Lakshmi, and there was a report on new films featuring Asian actors.
Jon Gosselin
Jon pulls the plug and heads to court
After a short break from “Jon and Kate” overload, I think it is time for an update.
In September, TLC announced that they would be changing the title of the show to “Kate Plus 8.” Jon would still appear, but less frequently, they said. On Oct. 1, Jon issued TLC a cease-and-desist, stating he felt the filming was not healthy for his eight children. Filming has stopped, and it is still up in the air whether or not the show will continue.
Kate Gosselin
On top of this, Kate appeared on the “Today” show claiming that Jon had taken $230,000 out of the $231,000 in their joint bank account. After a series of court dates, a Pennsylvania judge ordered Jon to return the money. The case, however, is not closed. Jon claims the court did not account for Kate’s $33,000 cash withdrawals. Jon’s attorney pulled out of the case and according to the New York Daily News on Oct. 26, Jon is currently without an attorney.
Hailey Glassman
Oh wait … there’s more! Jon Gosselin’s rumored girlfriend, Hailey Glassman, has now told Inside Edition that he frequently throws tantrums and takes it out on her. But she still loves him. Umm … why?
Did you guys get all of that straight? Phew! The man always gives me something to talk about!
Yash Chopra
Pusan Film Festival honors Asian filmmaking
Between Oct. 8 and Oct. 16, Pusan, South Korea played host to its international film festival.
The festival sets out to be “the window to the world for Asian films, including Korea’s,” said PIFF head of programming Park Do-Sin.
Out of 335 films from 70 countries, a record number for the event, the festival honored Indian filmmaker Yash Chopra as Filmmaker of the Year. Chopra founded one of India’s top studios, Yash Raj Films, in 1970.
Padma Lakshmi
Padma Lakshmi has a ‘miracle’ baby
If Padma Lakshmi didn’t believe in miracles before, she sure does now. The “Top Chef” host is pregnant with her first child. The 39-year-old host suffered from endometriosis, a condition in which the uterine lining grows outside the uterine cavity and often causes infertility.
Lakshmi’s representative told Us Weekly that this is “nothing short of a medical miracle.”
Who’s the baby daddy? No one knows, and Lakshmi is keeping this matter quiet.
Congratulations, mommy Padma!
Lucy Liu
Asian star signs on new film project
Last time anything came out of Lucy Liu, it was the short-lived “Sex and the City”-esque “Cashmere Mafia.”
That was a few years ago. So it’s nice to see that she is finally back! The Chinese American actress will be starring in “Nomads,” a Mexican film about subway suicides. The film is directed by filmmaker Ricardo Benet and will be shot in New York and Mexico City.
Justin Chon
Head on over to Forks, Wash., to see some vampires
This month, an Asian actor is featured in one of the most anticipated sequels of the year: the “Twilight” series’ “New Moon.” Korean American actor Justin Chon will be reprising his role as Eric Yorkie, Bella and Edward’s high school classmate.
“New Moon” premieres Nov. 20.
As always, see you back next month! ♦
Ninette Cheng can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
Marilyn Rajaniemi says
May 8, 2010 at 3:21 amI’m a wife myself, and this brought back memories of when I was pregnant and scared myself. If your pregnant and scared, give the Pregnancy Fear eBook a try. I love the author and she really knows her stuff.